Cannabis News

The HEMP Embassy Headlines are a selection of recent articles from news services and media sources primarily concerning Cannabis issues, the consequences of prohibition and the challenges for law reform. Here are the selected headlines for this week.

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 307

June 7, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ What if police stopped arresting people for drug use? First hand account [Australia 21] Portugal’s emphasis on treatment instead of punishment has been a major success, providing other governments around the world with a model for more effective laws that reduce both direct and indirect drug harms. Australian Cannabidiol Company Launches Ad […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 306

May 31, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Legalising cannabis adds $3.6bn to Australian economy, budget office says [The Guardian] Legalising cannabis would reap the Australian economy almost $2bn a year, the Parliamentary Budget Office has found. The Greens plan to not only decriminalise cannabis but also legalise it for adult use is the latest case study of political differences, […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 305

May 24, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ NT looks at creating marijuana industry [News] Marijuana for recreational use could be decriminalised and legally grown for medicinal and industrial purposes in moves that would make the Northern Territory the most pot-friendly place in Australia. 1 In 9 Drug Driving Tests Are Positive In NSW, 1 In 5 In QLD [Ten […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 304

May 17, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Fugitive drug smuggler who lived in Australia under fake name jailed in US [The Guardian] After lobbying from federal MP Warren Entsch, Australia’s immigration minister, Peter Dutton, indicated he could support Eidson’s wish to move back to Australia once he serves his US sentence. NORTH AMERICA Despite scare tactic, dogs will […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 302-3

May 10, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Let the good times roll! [Daily Mail] The yearly protest against cannabis prohibition held in the hills of New South Wales has once again attracted a host of revelers who made the pilgrimage to the tiny village to support their message of decriminalisation. Green Rush [ABC] The race to riches for Australia’s […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 300

April 19, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Greens want cannabis to be made legal [The Conversation] The Greens say cannabis should be legalised and sold in plain packaging, with its wholesale distribution monopolised by a new government agency. Greens propose full legalisation of cannabis [The Guardian] Richard Di Natale’s policy would also allow sales in licensed shops and up to […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 299

April 12, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Medical cannabis is legal. That does not mean it works [The Sydney Morning Herald] Tens of thousands have applied for legal access to medical cannabis, mostly to treat chronic pain, estimates Dr Alex Wodak, president of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation. So far, only 525 patients have been approved. “The community […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 298

April 5, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Medical-cannabis producer again locked up [Echo Netdaily] North coast medical-cannabis producer and campaigner Tony Bower has yet again been locked up after police raided his home on Wednesday and charged him with cultivating cannabis. Campaigners and supporters of the ‘Medicine Man’, as he’s widely known in the northern rivers, say they’re outraged […]

Embassy HEADLINES Issue 297

March 29, 2018

AUSTRALIA & NZ Dad Pleads Not Guilty On Grounds Of Medical Necessity After He Was Arrested For Growing Cannabis For His Daughters [BuzzFeed] An Australian father who was arrested for growing cannabis he says was for his sick daughters has pleaded not guilty in court today on grounds of medical necessity. Steve Taylor was arrested […]